Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will miss the Premier League leaders' trip to champions Chelsea on Sunday with a groin injury that will keep him out until the New Year, the club said on Friday.
Manager Alex Ferguson also looks likely to be without defender John O'Shea who has a calf strain.
"Sir Alex confirmed the midfielder (Scholes) is still struggling to shake off a niggling groin injury," the club said on its website about the player who has already been out of action for around three weeks with the problem.
United have not won in the league at Stamford Bridge since 2002 but are full of confidence after knocking Arsenal off the top of the table by beating the Londoners 1-0 this week.
"It's a big one for us," Ferguson said. "Our record down there has been poor over the last eight years. We've managed a few draws, but we've lost a few too.
"They're a tough team to beat on their own ground, their home record tells you that. But I'm going into the game with a strong, confident squad. You want to go there in good form and we are in good form," he added.
